GRAHAM, N.C. — Just a few days after tryouts concluded, the Richmond Senior High School softball team was busy dusting up the diamond Saturday.
The Lady Raiders and second-year head coach Caroline Wilson participated in a pre-season jamboree at Southern Alamance High School. Playing four-inning scrimmages, the team faced three opponents – Central Cabarrus, Chatham Central and Hickory Ridge high schools.
Going 1-2 on the day, Richmond was ahead on the scoreboard when its scrimmage concluded against Chatham Central.
“It was great to be back out on the field and facing another team,” Wilson said. “We’ve had a busy fall and winter of workouts and we were able to see how that development had progressed in these three scrimmages.
“Today was all about getting rid of those offseason cobwebs and getting back to game speed,” she added. “We’ve got several returners this year, but a lot of players are at the varsity level for the first time. This was a good experience for everyone and a good measuring stick for where we are to start the season.”
Lady Raiders defeat Chatham Central
The Lady Raider’s four-inning scrimmage with Chatham Central ended with the Green and Gold ahead 2-1.
Sophomore pitcher Madison Hancock pitched three innings and limited the Lady Bears to just one earned run on one hit. She walked three batters and struck out two.
Fellow sophomore Mackenzie Quick was responsible for the final inning of work. She preserved the save opportunity and struck out a pair of batters.
Playing as the home team, Richmond scored both of its runs in the bottom of the second after the Lady Bears took a 1-0 lead in the top half.
The Lady Raiders tied the game 1-1 when sophomore Lexi Smith drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring freshman Ava Clark (hit-by-pitch). Junior Macie King drove in the game-winning run in the next at-bat on a single, plating sophomore Madison Carriker (walk).
Early lead doesn’t hold against Central Cabarrus
In its contest against Central Cabarrus, a one-run lead after the first inning didn’t hold up for Richmond. The Lady Raiders lost 6-3.
Down 2-0 to start the bottom of the first, the Lady Raiders rallied to score all of their runs in the home half to take a 3-2 lead.
With runners on second and third and two outs, sophomore Sydney Barnes brought in a run on a single. Scoring to cut the deficit to a run was Hancock (walk).
Barnes later stole second base, which led to a two-RBI single by Carriker in the next at-bat. The base knock to right field brought in senior Hayden Robinson (walk) and Barnes.
Central Cabarrus scored two runs in the top of the third inning and added its final two runs in the top of the fourth.
Quick pitched the first three innings and allowed four earned runs on three hits and had one strikeout. Junior Emma Rusich pitched the final frame and gave up two earned runs on two hits with a K.
Lady Raiders come up short against Hickory Ridge
To close out the three-scrimmage jamboree, the Lady Raiders faced Hickory Ridge and came up short 8-2.
Clark made the start in the circle and surrendered four earned runs on nine hits, while striking out two batters. Quick pitched the final stanza and allowed four earned runs on three hits.
Richmond scored both of its runs in the top of the first. Hancock (walk) successfully stole home on a double steal initiated by King (bunt single).
The other run came a couple of pitches later when Clark ripped an RBI double to score King and make it 2-0.
Hickory Ridge chipped away with a run in the first, took a 3-2 lead after the second and went up 4-1 after the third. The Lady Ragin’ Bulls added four runs in the fourth.
Richmond’s season opener is scheduled for Wednesday at home against non-conference Union Pines High School. The game will start at 6:30 p.m.
The Richmond Observer will publish a season preview this week.
Sports editor’s note: All statistics and game information provided by Richmond’s GameChanger account.
